“It’s been three days, Doctor Monroe. Why isn’t she waking up?” I demand.

Savannah’s dad is holding her mom as she quietly cries. I’m clutching one of Savannah’s hands, while her mom clutches the other. I didn’t think I would meet Savannah’s parents, Daniel and Ashley, this way. I didn’t think my words to her father would be, “I’m going to marry your daughter when she wakes up.”

But, here we are. Huddled around Savannah’s bed where she’s been in a coma for three days. I’ve gotten to know her parents over quiet whispers in that time. We’ve prayed together for Savannah to wake up. None of us have left her bedside, except to use the restroom.

James has been standing or sitting in the corner since this morning. He slipped in quietly and took his place in the corner. He’s been missing for the past few days. He hasn’t taken his eyes from Savannah and has stayed silent.

My family and Savannah’s friends are coming as often as they are allowed to stand vigil with us.

Olivia quietly cries in a corner every time she enters the room. She begs for Savannah to wake up, apologizing that Savannah chose to save her. Josh holds her in his arms. I tell Olivia every time that I won’t allow anything except for Savannah to wake up. Nothing else is acceptable.

My family provides the four of us with food, but none of us can eat. I can’t eat until I see Savannah’s emerald eyes shining at me.

“Her body is healing. Her brain waves are good, but her body needs to heal. She will wake up when she’s ready.” Dr. Monroe patiently repeats what he has been telling us for days.

He leaves the room without another word. He’s told us the same thing over and over, but I demand to know every day. Each day that passes, I become more worried.

* * *

Two days later, I’m pleading with Savannah to wake up. “Come on, gorgeous. You have to wake up. I’m going to have Hudson build us a new house. We can fill it with puppies and babies.”

I press a kiss to her palm, resting my head on the side of the bed..

“Babies?” I hear quietly murmured. Ashley and I jump up, hovering over her. “Savannah,” we both whisper.

Savannah’s eyes slowly open, landing on mine. “Liam,” she says, tears springing to her eyes.

I lay a light kiss on her lips. “You’re okay. You’re okay.” I mutter over and over.

Savannah looks away from me to her mom. Her eyebrows scrunch in confusion. “Mom?”

“Yes, baby, Daddy and I are here. We’ve been here, baby.”

“What happened?”

I freeze, not prepared that she wouldn’t remember what happened.

“It wasn’t a dream, was it?”

I run my hand over her head, kissing her forehead. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, no it wasn’t, but it’s over now.”

Tears fill her eyes,.“It’s over?”

“Yes. You ended it,” I tell her.

Savannah’s dad steps up. She cries with her parents, happy to be out of her nightmare. I page the doctor, waiting for him to come check her out. Savannah says she is in pain and thirsty. Her voice is raw.

“We’ll let everyone know you’re awake,” Ashley says after the doctors leave the room.

James steps up to her when they leave the room. He leans down, kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear, “Damn proud of you, girl.”

Tears spill over the edges of her eyes again as they look at each other. “Thank you, pop tart.”

We all look when the door of the room opens. Maddox steps in. “I heard you were awake.” He smiles softly at Savannah. “I came to speak with Liam and your parents about what we’ve found so far, but I’ll come back after you’ve rested more.”

“No,” Savannah says. “Please I need to know everything. He—Aiden said he had friends watching me.”

Maddox nods. “He had computers at the warehouse. We found evidence that two friends on the outside were helping him while he was in prison. We also found the cameras at both your houses.”

Savannah starts sobbing quietly. “Have you found them?”

Maddox sighs, looking down at the floor before meeting her eyes again. “They’ve gone missing.”

My gaze shoots to James. He doesn’t meet my stare, only continues to watch the exchange between Savannah and Maddox until he leaves the room.

James presses another kiss to Savannah’s forehead. “We’ll talk later.”

I follow him out in the hall after promising Savannah I would be right back. “You weren’t here for almost three days.”

James stares at me without saying a word. I hesitate, looking around before asking quietly, “Will the friends ever be an issue?”

“No. They’ll never bother her again.”

I soak in what he’s confirming. “Thank you.”

He gives a small nod. “Get back to your girl.”